Bobbe Shapiro Nolan, Fiber Artist
  • Home
  • Blogging Exuberance
  • Exuberance for Sale
  • New Work
  • This Blue Chair I
  • This Blue Chair II
  • Spirit Gallery
    • Spirit Gallery 2
    • Spirit Gallery 3
  • Wearing Exuberance
    • Wearing #2
  • Contact Bobbe
  • New Page

Fooling around with ferns, agaves and birds

7/28/2015

0 Comments

 
I'm coming to the conclusion that my favorite plants are probably agaves and ferns.  They're both so forgiving of extreme climate conditions and of neglect.  I can't control the climate around here but I'm really good at neglect.  These plants somehow manage to subsist and even thrive.  If a cold winter appears to kill off the ferns, by golly there they are again in spring, sprouting right up and seeming to flourish.  The agaves, as I saw in Mexico, don't seem to mind cold weather or searing heat.  They do yellow a bit without water.  Right now my irrigation system is awaiting servicing, so I'm keeping an eye on the plants and setting out the hose from time to time.
Picture

These are not rare or even particularly notable ferns, but they have one of my favorite virtues:  Persistence.

So, as I work on a commissioned piece with a very general theme, I'm taking my attitude from the ferns.  I'm going to keep at it, whether or not it goes together easily.  I'm going to try to be graceful, unfurling nicely in place.  I will avoid complaining about the heat, and I'll drink plenty of water.

As to the agaves, they are all transplanted from Huntsville.  Small ones are in pots, while a couple of larger ones are in the ground.  The latter are growing vigorously.  I'm debating about putting one into a tall planter that's awaiting inspiration in the garage.  I think I'll wait for a cooler day to make the decision.

While in Virginia at Sacred Threads we had time to visit Historic Herndon, where there is a really nice resale shop.   I scored a large linen tablecloth in a 1970s-type print in taupe, dirty purple and mustard. Sounds yucky when I describe it--but with the addition of some fabric paint and a little blanket stitching it has now become a nice tunic-length jacket.

PictureI'm calling this one "$3" because that's how much I paid for the tablecloth.



I made the yoke from black cotton and appliqued several of the birds onto it.  Metallic fabric paint on the yellow, lavender and purple parts.  And I added a little light blue to the wings because I have a pair of light blue slacks i want to wear with this.

There were a lot of other things in the shop I'd like to have brought home, but my duffle bag was stuffed as it could be already.  At least the tablecloth did not enlarge my stash--I made it up as soon as I got home.

And because I was such a good girl to get that finished, it justified a trip to the silk store in Houston for some glorious colors to use in another project.  That's all washed, ironed, and fused, ready to go.  Can't show it yet.

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Bobbe Shapiro Nolan, Fiber Artist in Eagle Lake, TX.  Trying to learn to call the sewing room my studio, and myself an artist.  I retired after 15 years in hospice nursing--so now I have the time!.

    Archives

    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.